He'd been seeking me out more than a few times, but this time, he actually showed up at my doorstep.

"What's it this time?

",

"I agreed,

" he said, those few words throwing me off a bit., Agreed to what?,

"Agreed to date you, be your temporary boyfriend,

" Ernest clarified., Remembering how he had turned me down before, I was taken aback.

"What made you change your mind?

",

"If I didn't, you'd just go on these crazy blind dates, and do you really want to be followed home again like today?

" Ernest's tone started with resignation but ended sharply., In the dim light, seeing his unwilling yet compelled expression, I couldn't help but find it amusing.

"Doesn't this go against your wishes? Won't you be unhappy?

" Ernest seemed to catch the teasing in my voice and took a step closer, prompting me instinctively to step back until the railing stopped me. I had nowhere to go. His arm reached out, trapping me against the railing, and in an instant, my breathing quickened.

"Ernest...

",

"Going on blind dates, are you really that naive?

" His voice was close to my ear., It tickled my ear and sent a shiver right through my heart., His words were scolding, yet filled with an endless doting tone., I didn't move or speak., Ernest and I fell into silence again, but this time it was different. I was pressed against his chest, clearly hearing the thud of his heartbeat..., After a while, he finally withdrew his arm.

"Coming home alone this late, don't do it again.

",

"Oh,

" I obediently responded this time., Then, something occurred to me.

"Thank you.

", Thank you for showing up to save me today, and thank you for agreeing to be my boyfriend, helping me deal with the Wagner family and Conrad., He didn't respond, and unsure of what he was thinking, so I gestured upstairs.

"I'm going home.

", But just as I took a step, I heard him say,

"That guy has already tracked here, who knows if he'll come back?

", Right, what if that guy returns?,

"I won't leave tonight,

" Ernest suddenly said, then reached out his hand to me.,

"For what?

" I was completely lost., Ernest:

"Keys.

", My eyes widened.

"You want to stay at my place?

",

"What else? You want me to sleep at your doorstep?

" Ernest countered., I couldn't argue with that. He added,

"It's not like we haven't shared a room before.

", True, we had shared a room before, and it was safe., I handed him the keys, and we went upstairs together, entering the house., As the door closed behind us, he said,

"I'll sleep on the couch.

", I glanced at the decade-old couch, barely a meter and a half long. How could Ernest, with his height, possibly fit?, This house had another room, but that was my parents' room, and I couldn't let him stay there.,

"You should sleep in my room. I'll take my parents',

" I said, setting down my bag and pulling out a pair of my dad's old slippers from the closet., It's been ten years. I wasn't sure they'd still be good, seeing that even the plumbing from that time has given out., Ernest didn't make a fuss and took the slippers. I went to my bedroom to grab my pajamas, making sure there was nothing inappropriate before I left the room for him., Just as I was about to enter my parents' room, Ernest called out,

"Wait a second.

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